MORE than half of Southampton’s residents have not spoken to their neighbours in a month, a new survey has revealed.

In a poll of 4,000 people carried out by The Big Lunch, three quarters of all respondents from Southampton felt that people were closer to their neighbours 20 years ago than they are today.

One in six also revealed they had never spoken to their neighbours and one in five don’t feel they could call on anyone in their neighbourhood for help.

Presenter and comedian Jo Brand, ambassador of The Big Lunch: “At a time when the country feels so divided and disconnected, it seems more important than ever to come together and remember the importance of community spirit.

“It saddens me to think that one in five people in Southampton don’t feel they could call on a neighbour if they needed help.

“It’s such a shame that so many people don’t even know the people they live closest to.”

The Big Lunch is a campaign which aims to get communities together to share food, get talking and have fun.

The idea from the Eden Project, and made possible by The National Lottery, now attracts millions of people across the UK.

Every year, more than six million people take to their streets, gardens and neighbourhoods to join in for a few hours of community and friendship.

This year, The Big Lunch will take place on June 1-2.

Last year more than 40,000 people took part in an estimated 498 Big Lunch events across Southampton.

Peter Stewart of the Eden Project said: “Every year it keeps getting bigger as more and more people realise the importance of community and the benefit of knowing their neighbours.

“We know that when people come together good things happen, and that is what The Big Lunch is all about.

“We’re thrilled to see so many people across the UK joining in and having fun as we know The Big Lunch is just a spark that helps to build happier and more resilient communities where people know one another and neighbourhoods thrive.”